Apparatus for handling and dumping ice cans



Aug. 4, 1925. I 1,548,557

- T. SHIPLEY APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DUMPING ICE CANS Filed Dec. 10. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug; 4, 1925.

\ 1,548,557 T. SHIPLEY APARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DUMPING ICE CANS Filed Dec. 10, 1923 4 sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 4, 1925. 1,548,557

T. SHIPLEY APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DUMPING ICE CANS I Filed Dec. 10. 192; 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Aug. 4, 1925. 1,548,557

T. SHIPLEY APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DUMPING ICE CANS Filed Dec. 10. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

UNITED STATES oFFicE.

THOMAS SHIPLEY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DUMPING ICE CANS.

Application filed DecemberIO, 1923. Serial No. 679,793.

The prime object of the present invention is to provide means to handle a large multiple can unit or a large number of cans rapidly and safely with the minimum manual labor and by means of simple and inexpensive accessory apparatus.

In the-can unit chosen for illustration, the cans are mounted in truss frames which ex tend the full depth of the cans and protect them from mechanical injury. These frames are designed to sustain the entire weight of the full cans when suspended upright by their ends, but accessory means forming part of the dump are provided to maintain ,the alignment of the can unit when tipped. for dumping. This avoids the need of considerable cross bracing, which otherwise would be required, and saves space and weight.

The accessory means above mentioned consists of a frame forming part of the can dump. This frame maintains the alignment of the can unit, offering it continuous lateral support at top and preferably also at the bottom so as to relieve the frame work or basket of. the unit from severe stresses to which otherwise it would be subjected. Obviously it may perform this function with various types of can units. The can, dump is of simple constructio and is arranged to be operated by the crane or traversing hoist which handles the can units. This simplifies the dump, and simplifies the dumping manipulation, since the can unit remains connected to the crane throughout dumping.

The invention is applicable to both stationary can systems and pusher systems and for purpose of illustration only is shown as applied to a pusher systemv in the accompanying drawlngs.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevationand partly in section showing the crane as it appears after withdrawing the can unit from the dip tank and as it is about to deposit it on the dump Fig. 2 is a similar view looking to the right with reference to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view to a part of Fig. '1 and showing infull lines-the commencing of the'dumping operation, and in dotted lines the completion of such operation;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig.

5 and illustrates the construction of the fulcra and trunnions of the can dump;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the end portion of the can dump;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig.4;

Fig. .7 is a fragmentary elevation of the end portion of a can unit illustrating 'its construction; Fig. 8'is a plan view of the same; and Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7. I

In these drawings, certain parts such, for example, asthe brine tank and the traveling crane, are familiar to those skilled in the art, and are susceptible ofvarious specifically different embodiments. For the purpose of simplifying the drawings, parts of this nature have been conventionally illustrated.

The brine tank is generally indicated by the reference numeral 11, and the harvesting end of thetank is shown at 12. Extending parallel with the harvesting end 12 is a dip tank 13 containing warm water, and used to thaw the ice cakes free from the cans prior to dumping.

Extending longitudinally at each side of the brine tank 11 is a track rail 14, which is positioned slightly above the brine level'in the tank, and which serves to guide and partially to support the can units in their longitudinal travel.

The can units are' identical, but so far as this invention is concerned their exact structure is immaterial. In the example chosen for illustration, each consists of a.-rectangular truss frame in .Which'a series of identical cans are removably fixed. The cans are removed only for replacement or repair, and in the ordinary operation of the plant remain clamped in the basket or frame.

This frame includes two longitudinal members 15 which are tied together at their ends by castings 16, riveted to the side meme bers. The castings 16 in the case of a unit blocks 34 and 35 respectively.

for a pusher system are formed sothat each provides bearings for two flanged wheels 17, which'are so positioned as to run on the track rails 14, above mentioned, when the can units are in position in the tank 11. Each casting 16 is further provided with a link'18 to receive a crane hook. Suspended from the side members 15 bv means of .vertical end members 19 and diagonal members 20, are two angle iron members 21 arranged with their flanges extending inward to support and clamp the bottoms of a series of ice cans 22.

To clamp the bottoms of the ice cans between the angle irons 21 there is provided a series of tie bolts 23. These bolts 23 extend in the intervals between cans. A similar series of tie bolts 24 connect the members 15 and likewise pass through the intervals between cans. These two series of. tie bolts'23 and 24 are the means used'to clamp the cans removably in the rectangular frame. The lower members 21 not only clamp and support the cans, but protect the bottoms of the cans from injury and receive the lateral thrust of the can bottoms when the can unit is being tipped in the cradle of the can dump.

This will be recognized as a can unit intended for use in a pusher system, but no limitation to such a system is implied, nor is it necessary that the frame be coextensive in depth with the cans.

The traveling crane used for lifting the can units runs on a crane-way or track 27, and includes the usual bridge 28 and supporting wheels 29, which support the bridge on the crane-way. The wheels 29 are ordi narily electrically driven so as to propel the bridge along the crane-way from end to end of the brine tank. V

Mounted on the bridge 28 is a duplex hoist having two windingdrums 30 and 31, driven in unison by an electric motor. Wound on these drums, in the same direction, are two cables 32 and 33 which pass through the A suitable guide sheave 36 is provided for the cable 33 so that the blocks 34 and 35 aresuspended at opposite ends of the bridge 28 over the opposite sides of the brine tank and hence over the ends of the various can units. Each of the blocks 34 and 35 is provided with a Bevond the dip tank 13 a plurality of concrete piers 41 is provided to support cast bases 42 for the can dump, which is in effect a tipplng cradle designed to receive and support. the can unit, and dum the same under the control of the crane' oists heretofore mentioned. E ch base 085 1. 5 5

formed with an upper bearing notch 43and alower bearing notch 44 for the bars 45 and 46 which serve as connecting means between 2. series of cradle frame castings 47, and also as trunnions on which the cradle frame is tipped.

In the'drawing, five such frame castings 47 are shown, and these are further tied together by angle irons 48 and 49 (see Figs. 1 and 4). An I-beam 50 extends parallel to the members 48 and 49 in position to engage one of the upper side members 15 of the can unit and is supported in this position by vertical members 51 connected with the cradle frame castings '47 and with the angle member 48. The two endmost members 51 are traced in two directions by diagonal angle iron braces 52 and 53.

At each end of the I-beam 50 a'chain 58 is attached and is the means by which the can dumping cradle is connected with the hook 38 on the correspondin counterweights 59 which are suspended by cables 60 from-the ends of the cradle frame castings 47. The ends of cradle frame castings 47, remote from trunnion 46, are rounded as shown and are engaged by the cone sponding cables 60, so that the effective pull of the counterweights 59 diminishes quite slowly as the tipping of the cradle on trunnion 45 progresses. When trunnion 46 engages in bearings 44 the effective leverage of the counterweights is materially in-' creased, but still is insuflicient to overcome the tipping tendency of the cradle and its load. As such tipping thereafter progresses, the eifective leverage of the counterweights diminishes rapidly to-a very low value in the lowered position of the cradle. (See dotted line position, Fig. 3). .The piers 41 are so positioned as to give clearance for the hoist block when it is desired to operate t e can dump.

necessary movement of the counterweights 59.

A suitable sill 63 is provided to sup ort the I-beam 50 in the lowered position of the dumping cradle, and an inclined ice-way 64 is provided to receive and guide the discharged ice.blocks.

In operating the device, when a can unit is to be withdrawn from thebrine tank 11, the hooks 37 are engaged in the links 18 and moved to position over the dip tank, lowered into thedip tank'where it is allowed to remain for a few moments, and then deposited on the dumping cradle in the position shown n f ll ine in gh chain 58 at a h the can unit'is lifted 'out of the brine tank,

end of the cradle'is then connected to the corresponding hook 38. The counterweights entire weight of the can unit is sustained by the cradle and the cradle is so designed as to prevent any distortion of the can unit by the weight of its contained ice.

As the cans arrive in their lowermost positions (as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3), the ice blocks will slide out onto the platform 64. The hoist is again operated raising the cradle to a point at which the load is transferred from the hooks 38 to the hooks 87. At or about this point, the counterweights 59 predominate over the weight of the now empty can unit so that the weights become effective to restore the cradle and the empty can unit to their upright posit-ions. As the cradle moves to its upright position, however, the trunnion engages in the upper bearing, and by shifting the point of support reduces the leverage of the counterweights and causes the cradle to return to its upright position without shock.

The chains 58 are now disengaged from the hook 38- and the crane lifts the empty can unit from the cradle and carries it to be refilled and lowered into the tank.

The form of the tipping cradle is dependent in some degree upon the construction of the particular can unit which it is to dump, so as to offer good lateral support thereto. As the supporting frame for the cans making upthe unit must beedesigned to occupy minimum space, it is inherently likely to v have relatively small lateral rigidity, and it is an important feature of this invention that .the cradle offers lateral support to and maintains the alignment of the can unit during the tipping and dumping operation.

Obviously the cradle may be used, with minor modifications, to dump simultaneously a plurality of cans not connected with each other, or a plurality of small units each consisting of say three or four connected cans. In such case the operating connectilon would be between the hoist and dump a one.

The shifting fulcrum, particularly in conjunction with the variable counterweight leverage,--1s an lmportant feature in securing smooth dumping and restoring action.

What is claimed is: 1. Can handling anddumping means for i can ice plants, comprising in combination;

a traversing hoist; a frame adaptedto be lifted by said hoist and carrying a plural-- ltyof ice cans fixedly mounted therein; and

a traversing hoist; a frame adapted to be lifted by said hoist and carrying a' plurality of ice cans fixedly mounted therein; a tipping can dump adapted to receivesaid frame while connected with said hoist; and a secondary connection arranged to be made at will between said hoist and dump, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the hoist controls the tipping of the dump in the approximately upright positions through connection with the frame and in the more inclined positions through the secondary connection with the dump.

4. Can handling and dumping means for can ice plants, comprising in combination, a traversing hoist; a frame carrying a plurality of ice cans fixedly mounted therein, said frame being arranged, to be lifted by said hoist and to support the cans; and atipping can dump arranged to receive and dump said cans, said dump being constructed and arranged to support said frame substantially throughout its length and maintain the alignment thereof during the dumping operation.

5. In a can handling and dumping means for can ice plants the combination. of a traversing hoist; a frame carrying a plurality of ice cans fixedly mounted therein, said frame being arranged to be lifted by said hoist; a dumping cradle for said frame; a base for said cradle havingfulcra about which the cradle tips successively, the fulcrum engaged when the cradle is approximately upright being so located as to cause the cradle approximately to balance; and a counterweight for said cradle tending to restore the same to upright position, but inadequate to maintain it upright when loaded.

6. In a can handling and dumping means for can ice plants the combination of a trav-' ersing hoist; a frame carrying a plurality of ice cans fixedly mounted therein, said frame being arranged to be lifted by said hoist; a dumping cradle for said frame having a portion which engages and when tipped maintains the alignment of said frame; a base for said cradle having fulcra about which said cradle successively pivots;

a counterweight arranged to exert a varicrating said cradle by operation of the hoist.

7. In a device for handling ice cans, the combination of a tipping can dump; a traversing hoist arranged to deposit cans on said dump; and releasable connections between said hoist and dump through which the hoist serves to operate the dump.

8. In a device for handling ice cans, the combination of a tipping can dump; a multiple can unit; a traversing hoist; and releasable connections between the hoist and can unit and between the hoist and dump through which the hoist serves to operate the dump.

9. In a device for handling ice cans, the combination of a tipping can dump provided with a counterweight having a variable restoring characteristic so arranged that the counterweight serves to retain the dump when upright, but will not restore the same when tipped to ice discharging position; and a crane arranged to deposit cans on said dump, and to be connected with the dumpto actuate the latter.

10. In a device'for handling ice cans, the combination of a can dump arranged to tip successively about different fulcra and provided with a counterweight having a variable restoring characteristic so arranged that the counterweight serves'to retain the dump when upright but will not restore the same when tipped to ice discharging position; and a crane arranged to deposit cans on said dump and to be connected with the dump to actuate the latter.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

THOMAS SHIPLEY. 

